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As I think back on the past few weeks, I am inspired by mankind. I have seen people from all walks of life coming together to support those who have literally lost everything as a result of Hurricane Sandy. It brought people together who would not normally mix. Barriers of race, creed, sexual orientation and socio-economic differences have been broken. Here in Jersey City, we have witnessed great loss. Many of my neighbors are still without power after two long, cold, dark weeks. Life as we know it has been changed forever. Insurance pay-outs and FEMA funds cannot restore one’s wellbeing. Luckily, I was one of the first to have power restored here in Jersey City. I opened my doors to everyone & anyone that needed some warmth, a hot shower, a phone charge, or a hot meal. But it was only a temporary “fix.”

Sea Bright, NJ. Photo by Mark Vetrini

Most of my family is “down the shore” where entire towns have been literally wiped out. My sister, Eileen Rafferty, hopped in her car and ventured into some of the hardest hit neighborhoods in Jersey such as Belford and Keyport. She knocked on doors to pitch in with clean-up efforts and to find out what they really need. After a day on the “front line,” Eileen called me and said “We need undies!” I jumped on the horn and within a matter of hours, I was able to collect cases of Clean/Unworn Underwear from manufacturers and designers around the Country. Out of this need, the #SpareAPair Campaign has been born. Organizations such as Bra Recyclers and Support1000 have been accepting donations of gently worn bras for years. These organizations get the bras directly into the hands of the women in need (around the world.) But what about skivvies? My mom always told me, “Never leave the house without clean underwear!” But after a disaster, that’s not so easy, is it? Can You #SpareAPair of Underwear? Contact me directly to find out how you can support the #SpareAPair Campaign.

Christian Siriano and Jene Luciani

The Intimate Apparel Square Club’s 57th Annual H.U.G. Awards Gala was held on Wednesday, November 7, 2012. This year’s Intimate Affair (called “An Enchanted Evening”) honored LuAnn Via, former President and CEO of Payless ShoeSource, Inc. as well as Steven Chernoff, chairman of Rago Foundations, LLC. Intimate apparel industry veteran Janet Peters was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her dedication to the Club. The annual event raises funds to support NYU Langone Medical Center’s RUSK Institute and Tisch Hospital. Despite the wintry weather, members and supporters of the Club gathered together at 230 Fifth Penthouse to celebrate the humanitarian achievements of our honorees and to support the “RUSK Kids.” The event’s emcee was celebrity stylist and author of The Bra Book, Jené Luciani. Luciani wore a gown designed by Project Runway star, designer Christian Siriano. Siriano attended the event and presented his friend LuAnn Via with her H.U.G. Award. Via was also dressed in Christian Siriano from head to toe. Siriano arrived at the event with his guest, movie star Isabelle Fuhrman who also donned his designs! The event raised thousands of dollars which will be donated directly to NYU Langone Medical Center’s RUSK Institute and Tisch Hospital. The IASC is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization and none of its members are paid.

Dear Kate, the young fashion-meets-function lingerie line, is set to launch online this month followed by availability in specialty boutiques across the U.S. The debut collection—an assortment ranging from elegant high-rises and cream bodysuits to pastel bikinis and basic hipsters—pays homage to what every woman loves about her favorite intimates. While the designs alone catch the eye, it’s what’s underneath that has Dear Kate poised to make its mark with not only fashionistas, but also new and expecting mothers. Julie Sygiel, founder and CEO of Dear Kate says, “The risk of an oops moment shouldn’t mean we have to give up what we feel good in.” Below the beauty of every Dear Kate panty is a light-as-a-feather lining that protects women against stains and spills with the utmost discretion. Delicate to the touch and known for their easy wear-and-wash quality, the panties have already garnered a cult following through an earlier line in 2011. Originally named Sexy Period, the patent-pending high-tech underwear was geared towards women who wanted extra backup during their period without having to compromise on style. But when Sexy Period saw preteens, new moms experiencing incontinence, and even athletes embrace their panties, they knew a rebranding was in order. Known briefly as Underbrella before a trademark issue delayed a re-launch this summer, the team behind Dear Kate is pleased with the early praise they’ve already received. “Kate is that best friend in a crisis, the one who rushes to your side with chocolate,” says Sygiel, on the line’s new name. “The women who wear our panties appreciate not only the innovation behind it, but also the community we’ve become, and Dear Kate embraces that fully.”

This Wednesday, November 14th, luxury brand Fleur du Mal is celebrating its launch by hosting an Intimate Affair featuring Parisian DJ Inez Melia and renowned Mixologist Xavier Herit. Fleur du Mal is a signature collection of ready-to-wear and lingerie by Jennifer Zuccarini. The designs will be sold exclusively through a uniquely interactive e-commerce site- www.fleurdumal.com.

The Lingerie Alliance is proud to be participating in another fundraiser on November 18th at Teak Restaurant, in Red Bank, New Jersey. The Intimate Affair, GO NAKED AND CHECK YOURSELF, is an evening dedicated to bringing awareness / prevention to detectible cancers where you can go naked and check yourself – skin, breast and testicular cancers. The event is presented by Sugarush (a specialty bakery in Red Bank, NJ) and the award-winning lingerie boutique, Sweetest Sin. The mission of Go Naked and Check Yourself is to take the stigma of embarrassment out of checking yourself, because early detection can prevent long term issues. All proceeds from the event benefit charities such as The American Cancer Society. And since the areas surrounding Red Bank, NJ were so badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy, 25% of all proceeds will now benefit MOVE FOR HUNGER. Contact me for tickets or to make a donation.

Dear Kate, the young fashion-meets-function lingerie line, is set to launch online this month followed by availability in specialty boutiques across the U.S. The debut collection—an assortment ranging from elegant high-rises and cream bodysuits to pastel bikinis and basic hipsters—pays homage to what every woman loves about her favorite intimates.

While the designs alone catch the eye, it’s what’s underneath that has Dear Kate poised to make its mark with not only fashionistas, but also new and expecting mothers. Julie Sygiel, founder and CEO of Dear Kate says, “The risk of an oops moment shouldn’t mean we have to give up what we feel good in.” Below the beauty of every Dear Kate panty is a light-as-a-feather lining that protects women against stains and spills with the utmost discretion.

Delicate to the touch and known for their easy wear-and-wash quality, the panties have already garnered a cult following through an earlier line in 2011. Originally named Sexy Period, the patent-pending high-tech underwear was geared towards women who wanted extra backup during their period without having to compromise on style. But when Sexy Period saw preteens, new moms experiencing incontinence, and even athletes embrace their panties, they knew a rebranding was in order. Known briefly as Underbrella before a trademark issue delayed a re-launch this summer, the team behind Dear Kate is pleased with the early praise they’ve already received.

“Kate is that best friend in a crisis, the one who rushes to your side with chocolate,” says Sygiel, on the line’s new name. “The women who wear our panties appreciate not only the innovation behind it, but also the community we’ve become, and Dear Kate embraces that fully.”